25 Benefits of Rosemary
Some of the most interesting health benefits of rosemary include improving memory, improving mood, treating Alzheimer’s disease, treating cancer, reducing inflammation, relieving pain, and protecting the immune system. Herbs also promote blood circulation, detoxify the body, protect the body from bacterial infections, prevent premature aging and help heal.
What is Rosemary?
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is a perennial woody evergreen herb native to the Mediterranean region. It has pink, purple, white or blue flowers and needle-like leaves. It is one of the most commonly found herbs on spice storage shelves. The herb has a warm, bitter and astringent taste, but gives a wonderful flavor to soups, sauces, stews, roasts and fillings. It is available in dry powder form or fresh leaves. Its leaves can be used to prepare tea, essential oils and liquid extracts.
The herb was considered sacred by the ancient Romans, Greeks, Egyptians, and Hebrews and was especially prevalent in Italian cultural cuisine. Also known as ‘Dew of the Sea’ or ‘Old man’.
Rosemary Nutrition
According to the USDA, fresh rosemary is very high in vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B6, thiamine, folic acid, as well as minerals such as magnesium, calcium, copper, iron and manganese. It is rich in antioxidants, not only in phenolic compounds such as diterpene, canosol, rosmarinic acid, etc., but also in essential oils such as cinol, campbellite, and ethyl.
Rosemary Health Benefits
Some of the greatest health benefits of rosemary are:
1 . Hair Growth
Rosemary oil promotes hair growth, prevents baldness, slows graying, treats dandruff, and dries the scalp. A comparative study published in 2015 found that rosemary oil was superior to minosiloxane 2% in promoting hair growth in androgenetic alopecia (permanent baldness). It also promotes healing by increasing microcirculation in the scalp and reducing hair loss after shampooing.
2. Improve brain function
One of the first documented uses of rosemary for health reasons was as a cognitive stimulant. Helped to improve memory performance and quality. It is also known to improve alertness, intelligence and concentration.
3. Alzheimer’s Prevention
Rosemary prevents beta-amyloid plaques and inhibits acetylcholinesterase (AChE), a leading cause of Alzheimer’s disease, ataxia and dementia. It has also been linked to stimulating cognitive activity in the elderly as well as those suffering from other acute cognitive impairments.
A study titled “Brain Foods for Alzheimer’s-Free Aging: A Focus on Herbs” suggests rosemary as one of the best foods you can include in your diet.
4. Neuroprotection
Carnoic acid in rosemary has neuroprotective properties. According to a 2016 study, it protects the nervous system by reducing the oxidative stress and hypersensitivity of nerve cells. It is also known to protect certain parts of the brain from tissue damage, such as ischemic damage, heal nerve tissue, and reduce blood clotting.
5. Liver Detoxification
Rosemary has been associated with lower levels of cirrhosis and faster healing times of the liver, one of the slowest organs. It also reduces plasma liver enzymes, which can be responsible for type 2 diabetes. Canosol prevents liver tissue transformation. It also prevents the decrease in liver glycogen, an energy storage molecule.
6 .Stress Reduction
Studies of the antidepressant effects of rosemary have concluded that the scent of rosemary alone is associated with improved overall mood and mental exhaustion. It has a calming effect on people suffering from chronic anxiety and depression. Also, it reduces salivary cortisol (stress hormone) levels, which relieves tension in the body.
7. Balance Hormone
Carnosol in rosemary balances the androgen and estrogen hormones in the body. It also lowers the release of the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which improves prostate health and promotes hair growth.
8. Cancer Prevention
In 2015, the Journal of Nutrition and Cancer published a study that found rosemary extract to be very helpful in treating cancer.
Manganese, carnosol, rosmarinic acid, canoic acid and other rosemary extracts have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative and anti-cancer properties. It selectively kills cancer cells. It has shown promising results in the treatment of a variety of cancers including colon, blood, breast, prostate, ovarian, cervical, liver, lung, bladder and pancreatic cancers.
9 .Skin Care
The antioxidants in rosemary oil improve skin quality. It has a strong anti-aging effect, treats dullness and increases natural radiance. Also, extracts containing citrus supplements protect the skin from UV damage and are much better than supplements.
In a study of the effects of rosemary extract on skin damage, Dr. Alice L. Pérez Sánchez found that the herb actually helped protect the skin from UV-induced damage.
10. Reduce Cough
Rosemary leaves clear phlegm and mucus from the respiratory tract, which relieves symptoms of cough, cold, flu and asthma. Rosemary acid prevents the accumulation of any kind of fluid in the lungs.
11. Weight Gain Restrictions
Rosemary extract has anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperglycemic effects and promotes weight loss. According to research, rosemary, which is rich in carnosinic acid, may be used as a preventive treatment for metabolic disorders.
12. Antibacterial and Antibacterial
Rosemary is particularly powerful against bacterial infections. It has been linked to preventing staphylococcal infections that cause fatal boils and blisters, and is highly contagious. It also completely kills various gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria.
13. Prevent Blood Clotting
Because of its rich antioxidant content, rosemary has anti-thrombotic properties and helps prevent blood clots.
14.Anti -Ulcer
Rosemary consumption has been shown to prevent the growth of H. pylori bacteria, a dangerous pathogen that can cause stomach ulcers.
15 .Amplifies Resistance.
The active ingredients of rosemary are antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. These represent three attacks on the many different diseases and pathogens that can threaten the immune system or compromise the integrity of the body.
16. Maintain Gut Health
Rosemary increases the flow of bile and keeps the gallbladder functioning at its best. This, in turn, helps maintain gut health and fight intestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and colitis.
17. Helps Digestion.
Rosemary has powerful anti-inflammatory properties and has traditionally been used as a natural remedy for stomach upset, constipation, gas, bloating, and diarrhea. When added to the diet, it helps regulate bowel movements and the gastrointestinal system.
Rosemary, a natural antibacterial agent, works as an amazing breathing aid to improve oral health.
Add wet rosemary to a glass of hot water and gargle or rinse your mouth with water to get rid of bacteria and you will get naturally fresh, clean breath overnight.
18. Stimulates Blood Flow.
Rosemary acts as a stimulant for the body and promotes red blood cells and blood circulation.
19. Pain Relief
As an analgesic, rosemary is used topically to the affected area to relieve pain. When taken orally, it acts as a pain reliever for headaches or migraines. It also relieves menstruation and stomach cramps, as well as kidney pain.
20.Anti -Inflammatory Agent
Carnosol and Carnosic Acid Carnosic acid is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound found in rosemary that has been linked to reducing inflammation in muscles, blood vessels, and joints. This makes it an effective treatment for many things, including blood pressure, gout, arthritis, and injuries during physical exercise or surgery. Effective in oral or topical form. In addition, reducing inflammation in the cardiovascular system can promote heart health and prevent the appearance of atherosclerosis.
21. Detoxify the Body.
Rosemary is slightly diuretic in nature and may help flush toxins efficiently during urination. Besides, by increasing the rate at which water leaves the body, it can also help repel pathogens, salts, toxins and even excess fat when consumed regularly. It helps treat uremia, which is commonly seen in people with thyroid dysfunction.
22. Rich in Antioxidants
The antioxidants contained in rosemary act as a second line of defense to support the body’s immune system. It contains significant amounts of antioxidants such as rosemary acid, caffeic acid, betulic acid, and carnosol.
23. Prevention of Loss of Vision
Carnosic acid is present in rosemary, which may help prevent age-related macular degeneration that affects the outer retina of the eye.
24 .Reduces Spasms.
Rosemary’s anticonvulsants help reduce spasms in non-voluntary muscles, such as the heart.
25. Ncrease Movement
Studies have shown that cineole in rosemary promotes physical activity by increasing exercise.
Side Effect
Although the rosemary plant is classified as safe by the FDA even in high concentrations, it has the following side effects when used in excess over a long period of time:
- Throw up
- Skin rash
- Itchy scalp in bald patients
- Elevated blood sugar in diabetic patients
- It causes convulsions like epilepsy.
- Crick
- Coma
- Pulmonary edema: Too much fluid fills the lungs.
- Reduced fertility: Long-term consumption of rosemary may decrease sperm count, density, and mobility in men. Pregnant women can lead to miscarriages and abortions.
Drug Interactions: May have side effects with medications such as Warfarin (anticoagulant), Lithium (manic depression), and Lasix (diuretic).
Note: If you are allergic to mints, ingestion or use of rosemary or its oils may cause discomfort, but reactions are usually mild.